Barack Obama kicks off Ray Charles number at White House tribute

Obama once again showed off his set of pipes as he led the star studded line-up of performers in a rendition of Ray Charles' What'd I Say at the final In Performance at The White House.

Launching the PBS special, Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles, with a short speech, the president informed, "Tonight's a little bitter-sweet because this marks our final In Performance at The White House. I will not be singing."

He then went on to introduce the artist being celebrated, "For our last one it is fitting that we pay tribute to one our favourites... and one of the most brilliant and influential musicians of our times, the late, great, genius himself, Mr Ray Charles."

Despite his prior decision not to sing, Obama did join in with the rest of the audience as they danced and sang along to the various numbers. And after the performers of the evening all joined Usher for the last song of the night, a rendition of What'd I Say, Obama got on stage to thank everyone before kicking off the chorus of the song again.

The evening included performances by Yolanda Adams, Leon Bridges, Andra Day, Anthony Hamilton, Brittany Howard, Demi Lovato, Sam Moore, Jussie Smollett, The Band Perry and Usher with Rickey Minor as executive music director.

This was not the first time Obama sang for the cameras, the POTUS wowed the crowd when he sang Amazing Grace at the funeral for South Carolina State Senator Clementa Pinckney. During a previous White House concert in February 2012, he sang Sweet Home Chicago with Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck and BB King.